Principles for Relationships from God's Word by Claudio Consuegra

Small ways to show your spouse some love – 1

She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12 (NKJV)

We have talked about how valuable in a relationship are simple words like “I love you,” or “thank you.” You don’t have to receive any special training or spend vast amounts of money to say those words. In addition to telling your spouse that you love them, you should show them, which does not involve grand, sweeping gestures, surprise vacations, or an aerial banner proclaiming your love. Ann Malmberg[i] suggests ten small ways to say, “you mean the world to me, and I’m glad you’re in my life.”

Leave random notes in places you know they’ll find them, with a simple message like, “You’re my favorite person,” or “Thank you for always being able to make me laugh.” You get a few bonus points for drawing a funny little picture. You can place that note in their lunch, on a post-it note left on the steering wheel of their car, on top of their pillow (add a couple of chocolates for an even bigger effect), on the bathroom mirror. I remember the time I surprised my wife in the morning by writing on the toilet paper, with bright red markers, “I love you,” and drew hearts of various sizes…she saved it. (smile)

Cook or order in their favorite meal after they’ve had a long or difficult day. If you know what they like to eat, and you can cook it, put your culinary skills to good use on those special days when they need some extra love and encouragement. Even if you can’t cook, ordering from their favorite restaurant, so they don’t have to cook, or so they will enjoy something they like, can be a very special treat.

If they always do a chore on a certain day or specific time, beat them to it. When couples share equally on the household responsibilities, it tends to strengthen their relationship and to lessen the burden on either one. But there may be some things that one does more often than the other. When you do the things your spouse does most often, you’re showing them that you notice what they do and want to take it off their plate this time so they can enjoy a break for a change.